Importance of networking..... [Archive] - Mobile Disco Directory Forum

DeckstarDeluxe

11-06-2009, 11:30 PM

This weekend was my first free one since march... Well it was at the start of the day!

Got a call this morning from another dj offering me work for saturday. Great thats some money towards the deckstand booth :D

Hour later phone rings again. From an local disco shop that also supplies discos. Work for friday night too.

Later on another DJ off this forum rings me about next saturday. Cant do it as have my own booking. Thanks all the same!

Now the two fees from this weekend is most of my fee for my own disco. I still get an great buzz out of what Im doing and I spend most of my time on here, looking on download sites and plugging the gaps in music and knowledge and improving week by week. I never thought I would do DJing full time but it really getting to the point where it might be something to consider once Im happy with my rig and no major investment is required.

Im aiming this at the younger and inexperienced bedroom djs. Dont be afaird to go out and get to know people, network and dont be afaird to work for abit less. I only just started djing out in public in april 2007. Its only when an dj I know said the other day and without blowing my horn "Its amazing how fast Ive developed in such an short space of time". Thats come about from lots of research, giving up my weekends and since back end of last year this forum. You get back what you put in!

Danno13

11-06-2009, 11:39 PM

And just to add to this, i've been bugging quite a few of my regular contacts for a while about getting an avaliability calendar together.

Tonight I sent another email around (Neil, I'll sent you the same one now :) ) and got a response straight away - turns out this particuarly DJ is free on 20th June (same date I asked Neil about) so he's now covering it, should it come off.

I'm completely convinced networking is the way forward for anyone who is serious about this business.

I lose track of the amount of DJs I read complaining about this, that and the other (i can't get XX in XX area of the country) but then don't make the effor to come along to regional meets & shows etc. where they can actually make a difference and improve things, particularly on a local level.

JDB Entertainment

12-06-2009, 12:03 AM

I'm completely convinced networking is the way forward for anyone who is serious about this business.

Totally agree. If we all networked together those bookings we couldn't take on we could recommend another DJ. Rather than running the risk of £60 sid with argos disco balls and 2 cd players getting the work.

That way the industry would get a better reputation in the public eye.

And as you know Dan and a few other forum members I love to network and learn from others as well as hopefully give something back.

James

pagan_flame

12-06-2009, 12:06 AM

I lose track of the amount of DJs I read complaining about this, that and the other (i can't get XX in XX area of the country) but then don't make the effor to come along to regional meets & shows etc.

Regional meets? We don't have them things in the Eastern counties any more... nearest one to me is Clive's shows (only 70 miles each way) :(

DeckstarDeluxe

12-06-2009, 12:08 AM

speaking of which when is the next meet for our area Dan?

Danno13

12-06-2009, 12:31 AM

Regional meets? We don't have them things in the Eastern counties any more... nearest one to me is Clive's shows (only 70 miles each way) :(

That's only because no-one is organising them! They don't just happen automatically.. get together with a few local guys, set a venue and date and speak to NADJ for some support :)

Neil.. I'm not sure at the moment. I've spoke with people regarding Cotswolds and Midlands meets just this week.. but its getting a venue & date nailed down thats holding things at the moment.

When something is arranged it'll be posted on the forum and emailed round, or of course if you have any suggestions for a good meeting place, do let me know :)

Adam_F

12-06-2009, 09:21 AM

Charlie Brown

12-06-2009, 09:30 AM

to work for abit less.

I'm not so sure about that...

Dynamic Entertainment

12-06-2009, 09:41 AM

Anyone that's serious about being a mobile DJ, should also make every effort to attend BPM (http://www.visitbpm.co.uk).

Ive never understood why the biggest promo event for mobile djs is held in the main wedding season :bang:

I would love to go (and have done for the last 6 years), but ive always got weddings on. Why not hold it in February? (generic question...not aimed at you Adam :) )

sleah

12-06-2009, 09:52 AM

Anyone that's serious about being a mobile DJ, should also make every effort to attend BPM (http://www.visitbpm.co.uk).

Ive never understood why the biggest promo event for mobile djs is held in the main wedding season :bang:

Possibly because BPM is more about club DJ's, producers and so on, little to offer humble party DJ's.
Look at their list of 'Guests' every one is either in to music production or a 'name' club DJ.

If it's gear you're interested in, rather than been shown how to use it:p:D then PLASA is the show to go to, although it's in September, it runs for 4 days so it's more "DJ friendly":)

http://www.plasashow.com/visit/

Solitaire Events Ltd

12-06-2009, 10:46 AM

Ive never understood why the biggest promo event for mobile djs is held in the main wedding season :bang:

You get loads of weddings on Sundays do you?

rob1963

12-06-2009, 10:49 AM

Possibly because BPM is more about club DJ's, producers and so on, little to offer humble party DJ's.

I thought BPM was more suited to mobile discos than PLASA.

:confused:

Cj_The_Dj

12-06-2009, 10:49 AM

Im aiming this at the younger, bedroomDJ's, Dont be afaird to go out and get to know people, network and dont be afaird to work for abit less. !

I need to allow more time for meeting DJs but i am shy and not confident,
I do not work every weekend, but when I do, I get loads of good comments. I would defiantly say im no Bedroom DJ and never had been. However, I wish I could work more.

I am going to try to get to bpm, can some one tell me whats the benfitis of saying over night for both days? is the show any different etc?

Adam_F

12-06-2009, 11:14 AM

I would love to go (and have done for the last 6 years), but ive always got weddings on. Why not hold it in February? (generic question...not aimed at you Adam :) )

As people have said, its just not us mobile jocks its aimed at. There were talks of holding it on the Friday too, but it hasn't happened.

To be honest as soon as the dates are announced, I'll put it in the diary and keep it free.
BPM & the networking is more valuable to me than 1 booking on a Saturday night.

I would love to go (and have done for the last 6 years)

This year is the third year is has been run :confused:

Adam_F

12-06-2009, 11:15 AM

Dynamic Entertainment

12-06-2009, 11:26 AM

You get loads of weddings on Sundays do you?

In the height of the seasy, yes i do. Especially registrars in hotels.

This year is the third year is has been run :confused:

Sorry, that was a generic statement about most shows that are held in summer, Plasma etc.

Cj_The_Dj

12-06-2009, 12:13 PM

The difference between the two days will be the seminars and also the events on the main stage, these change.

The stands are obviously the same for the two days.

Other benefit I guess, is nabbing the freebies on both days!

Im really considering to come. but probs only one day I think.

womble

12-06-2009, 12:15 PM

Solitaire Events Ltd

12-06-2009, 12:35 PM

In the height of the seasy, yes i do. Especially registrars in hotels.

Fair play to you then. You must be lucky that's all I can say.

Perhaps a poll is in order to see how many others do a lot of Sunday weddings?

[email protected]

12-06-2009, 12:46 PM

I need to allow more time for meeting DJs but i am shy and not confident,
I do not work every weekend, but when I do, I get loads of good comments. I would defiantly say im no Bedroom DJ and never had been. However, I wish I could work more.

Business Link have some great courses and seminars available many of which are totally free as there's a bit of government funding available present for training courses. They do some great half day courses on lots of subjects including how to network etc etc.

Maybe of some use to you.

JDB Entertainment

12-06-2009, 12:46 PM

Perhaps a poll is in order to see how many others do a lot of Sunday weddings?

Start a thread! I know I do a lot of weddings on sundays.

James

Cj_The_Dj

12-06-2009, 01:22 PM

Start a thread! I know I do a lot of weddings on sundays.

James

Ive only ever done 1 (but that's nowt to go by lol) but i dont hear of Many either,

theoloyla

12-06-2009, 02:42 PM

I've done a few but not many. Bank holiday Sundays seem to be popular.

Back on subject networking is very important and SEDA meetings are a good place to do it 6 times a year.

DeckstarDeluxe

12-06-2009, 03:24 PM

I need to allow more time for meeting DJs but i am shy and not confident,
I do not work every weekend, but when I do, I get loads of good comments. I would defiantly say im no Bedroom DJ and never had been. However, I wish I could work more.

I am going to try to get to bpm, can some one tell me whats the benfitis of saying over night for both days? is the show any different etc?

Whats what Im saying CJ. The only thing stopping you from going is yourself and thats something you need to get over. I wasnt that confident at some areas of my work and that includes mic skills, I didnt shy away from these areas but worked on them and the effort Ive put in has paid off.

IN regards to charlies post about not being so sure about taking abit less.....

I was only getting £75-£90 in the first year of djing per gig. The experience of working week in week out was the main thing but If I had said Im not working for less than £xxx and you price yourself out then you dont get the experience. Im not wanting this to go off towards "what are you worth etc..." Also like Ive always said I really enjoy doing this and if you are only interested in getting paid and thats your main motive then you arent going to get very far. At least you shouldnt

Danno13

12-06-2009, 05:06 PM

Perhaps a poll is in order to see how many others do a lot of Sunday weddings?

I do loads.. almost as many as Fridays, not so many in October though, although just booked Sunday 11th today :)

Just done a quick count and 8 so far booked in for this year, plus another 3 when I'm just doing uplighting.

Oh and 14 Fridays, so not quite as many as I first thought.

Solitaire Events Ltd

12-06-2009, 05:39 PM

8 out of 52 isn't loads in my book Mr Essex...:sj:

Excalibur

12-06-2009, 06:10 PM

Agree with everything stated above!

Anyone that's serious about being a mobile DJ, should also make every effort to attend BPM (http://www.visitbpm.co.uk).

Hopefully there'll be a fair few of us there this year for a meet up!
And hopefully some new faces. There's a phrase I can't remember. :confused: Something about suspects? :confused:

I need to allow more time for meeting DJs but i am shy and not confident,
I do not work every weekend, but when I do, I get loads of good comments. I would defiantly say im no Bedroom DJ and never had been. However, I wish I could work more.

I am going to try to get to bpm, can some one tell me whats the benfitis of saying over night for both days? is the show any different etc?
The danger of staying is that you may find that there are folk on here who revert to the Old Ways, when let out. ;) Wine Women and Song. :D

Dynamic Entertainment

12-06-2009, 06:19 PM

Fair play to you then. You must be lucky that's all I can say.

Perhaps a poll is in order to see how many others do a lot of Sunday weddings?

They tend to be smaller affairs, all of them this year have no more that 40 guests, and are all in the same 3-4 hotels (i think thay the hotel does them a touch cheaper on a sunday). Ive not got any work on a sunday, except from july til end september (roughly).

Danno13

12-06-2009, 07:11 PM

8 out of 52 isn't loads in my book Mr Essex...:sj:

Ok.. but out of 23 weeks of peak Season... although saying that, out of those 8.. one was in March, one's in October and one in November... but still, more popular than say Mondays and Tuesdays!

It's madness how one day of BPM is on a Saturday :bang: Should really be Sunday and Monday, and do all the serious stuff for the pros on the Monday :D (Joke!!)

Steve the DJ

13-06-2009, 07:09 AM

It's madness how one day of BPM is on a Saturday :bang: Should really be Sunday and Monday, and do all the serious stuff for the pros on the Monday :D (Joke!!)

You joke about it but it says a great deal about our industry that one of (if not the) biggest events in the DJs calendar has to be held on a weekend at all, just to ensure a large proportion of the target visitors can even attend. :eek:

We will know we are getting somewhere as a serious, professional industry when events like this can be moved to during the week.

DeckstarDeluxe

13-06-2009, 12:41 PM

You joke about it but it says a great deal about our industry that one of (if not the) biggest events in the DJs calendar has to be held on a weekend at all, just to ensure a large proportion of the target visitors can even attend. :eek:

We will know we are getting somewhere as a serious, professional industry when events like this can be moved to during the week.

From their standpoint they have no benefit of holding during mid week surely? If they know doing so will vastly affect the number why would they?

I have to say however I'd glady book the time off if it was during the middle of the week, in fact I'd love it as not having to worth about work the next day.